Page 102 of The Engagement at Longbourn

"No."

"And we shall not allow Richard to mediate every quarrel."

"Definitely not. He would enjoy it too much."

"Agreed."

Behind them Richard's voice called from farther down the path, "I can hear you."

Darcy closed his eyes.

Elizabeth laughed. Georgiana and Kitty were laughing too. Darcy opened the gate for her.

"Longbourn?"

"Longbourn."

They took that road together.

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

A Ring with a History

Lady Matlock asked Elizabeth to come to Netherfield alone three days later.

This was sufficiently mysterious that Mrs. Bennet immediately assumed jewels.

"It must be jewels. A countess does not ask a bride to call privately about napkins."

Elizabeth said, "A countess may ask about anything she pleases."

"Jewels," Mrs. Bennet repeated.

For once, she was correct. Lady Matlock received Elizabeth in the small sitting room and dismissed her maid after tea was brought. A narrow velvet box lay on the table.

"Before you become alarmed," the countess said, "you are free to refuse."

"That is a worrying beginning."

Lady Matlock smiled and opened the box. Inside lay a ring: an oval sapphire surrounded by small diamonds, elegant without being enormous.

Elizabeth stared.

"It belonged to Darcy's mother."

Her breath caught.

Lady Matlock touched the velvet beside it. "Anne wore it before her marriage and afterward on her right hand. It came back to my mother-in-law when Anne died, because Georgiana was a child. She left it to me with instructions that it should eventually go to Darcy's wife if the lady wished to wear it."

Elizabeth looked up. "Does Georgiana know?"

"Yes. She insisted I show you."

"And Mr. Darcy?"

Lady Matlock laughed softly. "He knows the ring exists. He does not know I brought it. My nephew is capable of making a family jewel feel like a legal obligation if given too much time to explain it."

Elizabeth smiled. She looked again at the sapphire.